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Guidelines for Appointment and Promotion of Librarians-
Appointment and Promotion in Rank
All appointments to and promotions in rank are based upon the evaluation of the librarian's professional
performance and the established requirements for each rank. The Libraries rank structure is equivalent to
the teaching/research faculty rank structure.[1]
The following ranks are established for librarians at the Old Dominion University Libraries:
Librarian IV. Appointment or promotion to this rank is the highest honor that the university can
bestow upon academic librarians. These are librarians who have made outstanding contributions to the
university and to their profession. They shall have demonstrated excellence in professional
performance, continued academic study, and additional professional service. Although few will excel
equally in all three areas, those appointed or promoted to the rank of librarian IV shall have made
demonstrable contributions in each area. A candidate with a doctorate and a minimum of ten years of
professional library experience may be appointed or promoted to this rank. In cases of unusual
merit, a candidate with the master's degree in librarianship, a second master's degree,
and six years as a librarian III or an equivalent rank may also be appointed or promoted to
librarian IV.
For initial appointment to the position of Dean of University Libraries, the candidate should meet
the requirements for librarian IV. In the event of an opening in that position, the librarians shall
have input toward the selection of the new Dean of University Libraries and shall meet with all
final candidates.
Librarian III. Appointment or promotion to the rank of librarian III is based upon established
excellence of professional performance, continued academic study, and professional service, with
pre-eminence and/or high-quality contributions in one or more of these areas. Degree requirements
for this rank include the master's in librarianship and either a second master's degree or
thirty credit hours approved by the university. The candidate is considered for promotion during the
fifth year in rank as a librarian II or may be appointed to this rank after nine years of
professional library experience. Exceptions should be made only in cases of unusual merit.
Librarian II. Appointment or promotion to the rank of librarian II requires a master's degree in
librarianship, a minimum of fifteen credit hours approved by the university, and three years of
professional library experience. A candidate with a master's degree in librarianship and five years
of professional library experience is also considered. Evidence of promise in professional performance,
continued academic study, and additional professional service are also required.
Librarian I. Appointment to the rank of librarian I requires a master's degree in librarianship
from a library school accredited by the American Library Association. Evidence of promise in
professional performance is also required.
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Evaluative Criteria for Promotion
An annual review of the performance of each librarian of the Old Dominion University Libraries staff will be
conducted in order that he or she may receive full credit and reward for his or her contribution to the
Libraries and to the university. The criteria on which this evaluation will be based are as follows:
Professional Performance. The basic quality which must be evident for promotion in academic rank is
the ability to perform at a high professional level in areas which contribute to the educational and
research mission of the university such as reference service, collection development, management,
bibliographic organization and control. Each librarian should have the maximum possible latitude in
fulfilling these responsibilities.
Demonstration of high standards of professionalism should include:
Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of job. Effectiveness in providing information to the university community and in the development and
use of library resources.
Performance characteristics such as innovativeness and creativity, adaptability and acceptance
of responsibility.
Demonstrated ability as an administrator, if applicable, to the librarian's position
description.
Additional evidence for promotion in rank may include:
Continued Academic Study. This category includes a formal, practical effort to broaden one's
academic base, to acquire an additional graduate degree, or to pursue a course of study related to
professional growth.
Additional Professional Service. This category includes activities, beyond those of required
professional performance and continued academic study, in which the librarian exercises professional
expertise in the service of the Libraries, the university, the profession, or the community.
The following activities will be among those considered in evaluation of additional professional
service:
Teaching Organization of workshops, institutes or similar meetings. Public appearances, such as presenting book reviews or addresses. Contributions to the advancement of the profession such as active participation in professional
and learned societies as a member, as an officer, as a committee member, or as a committee
chairperson.
Activities related to inquiry and research, such as writing, editing, abstracting or reading for
a professional journal, publishing in scholarly journals, presenting papers, reviewing books and
other literature, developing grant proposals, serving as a member of a team of experts, review
committee or similar body, developing or applying computer programs, etc.
Preparation of Libraries in-house publications such as manuals, guides, bibliographies,
newsletters, etc.
Active and effective service to the Libraries, to the university, to university-related agencies
or other community agencies.
The application and interpretation of all guidelines used in the evaluation of the librarians should
be consistent with the principles of academic freedom as stated in the 1940 "Statement of Principles
of Academic Freedom and Tenure." The basic responsibility for the evaluation of the librarian's performance rests on the Dean of
University Libraries and/or the department head. Evaluation will be based on the aforementioned criteria with evidence supplied by each librarian.
Additional evidence may be supplied by request of the Libraries Promotion Committee. The evaluation
process will conform with the Administrative and Professional Faculty Performance Appraisal policy
as stated in the latest edition of the Administrative and Professional Faculty Guidebook.
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Salary Increments
Annual salary increments for librarians are based on the "Compensation and Human Resources Administration
Plan for Administrative and Professional Faculty" in the latest edition of the Administrative and
Professional Faculty Guidebook. Initial recommendations for salary increments are made by the Dean of
University Libraries, who determines the salary increments from information supplied by the librarian's
supervisor. The salary increments for librarians are within the total salary budget assigned to the
Libraries by the Provost. After being notified by the Dean of University Libraries of the salary increment,
any librarian may request that the salary decision be reviewed by the Provost. The decision of the Provost
is final. -
Grievance Policy
Grievance policy and procedures for librarians follow the "Faculty Grievance Policy" as found in the latest
edition of the Teaching and Research Faculty Handbook. -
Renewal and Non-Renewal of Appointments
Two types of appointments are normally awarded to librarians: (1) annual appointment, and (2) extended
appointment. Annual Appointment. The Dean of University Libraries recommends to the President or his or her
designee all librarian appointments, either initial appointment or renewal. For renewal, the Dean of
University Libraries writes each individual a letter in early spring indicating intent to recommend
same. Prior to the beginning date of employment or normally during the month of June for renewal
appointment, each individual is sent a "Notice of Appointment." Extended Appointment. The main purpose of the extended appointment is to provide and protect academic
freedom and job security for librarians. The extended appointment is a pledge by the university of
continuing employment to a librarian for a period of three years. The extended appointment is not a
pledge of a specific administrative position or job assignment. Annual salary for each year of the
extended appointment shall be in accordance with section III, Salary Increments. Changes in rank or
position shall not affect the extended appointment.
The terms of the extended appointment are as follows:
Librarians at the librarian I rank are not eligible for extended appointment. Librarians at the librarian II or III ranks are eligible for extended appointment after five
full years of service in the Libraries.
Librarians at the librarian IV rank are eligible for extended appointment after two full years
of service in the Libraries.
The Libraries Promotion Committee considers the applications for extended appointments using the
same criteria as stated in section II, Evaluative Criteria for Promotion. The committee will
recommend to the Dean of University Libraries that the librarian be considered for an extended
appointment or that the librarian remain on an annual appointment basis.
Resignation and Release from Appointment. The obligation to give due notice of termination of
employment is reciprocal. A librarian, as part of his or her responsibility to the university and
the profession, should make every effort to give Libraries administration adequate time to find a
replacement if he or she desires to leave Old Dominion University. Release from a notice of
appointment will be granted by the university only in exceptional cases, normally involving
circumstances beyond the individual's control. In the case of a librarian who has signed a
reappointment notice, release from appointment to take another position will be considered if (1)
the offer of or the invitation to apply for another position did not come as a result of any
solicitation or encouragement by the librarian, or (2) the position in question represents an
opportunity for significant professional advancement. When a librarian is unable to complete the term of service specified in the "Notice of Appointment,"
he or she must request release from the terms of that appointment. To request a release from
appointment, the librarian should submit a letter to the Dean of University Libraries for his or her
review and approval. The letter should state the reason for the release, the release date and the
last actual working day, if remaining annual leave must be utilized. A minimum of 30 days'
notice, in addition to accrued leave, is expected. Release from appointment is recommended by the Dean of University Libraries and is subject to the
approval of the Provost or his or her designee. A librarian may voluntarily resign from his or her appointment by June 30. A minimum of 30 days'
notice, in addition to any accrued leave days, is expected. The letter of resignation, including the
reason for and the effective date of resignation, should be sent to the Dean of University
Libraries.
Non-Renewal of Appointment. The Dean of University Libraries may recommend the non-renewal of
appointment for the librarian whose evaluated performance is below acceptable professional
standards. Said recommendation is made by the Dean of University Libraries to the Provost or his or
her designee in accordance with the following timetable as found in the policy on Administrative and
Professional Faculty in the latest edition of the Administrative and Professional Faculty Guidebook:
At least ninety (90) days for librarians in their first twenty-four months of service. At least one hundred and eighty (180) days for librarians with more than twenty-four months of
service.
As stated in section I, Appointment and Promotion in Rank, on the basis of all the evaluations and
recommendations, the Provost makes a decision concerning extended appointments for the coming year.
If the Provost decides against an extended appointment, the librarian may request a review by the
President. The decision of the President is final.
Termination with Cause. The procedures for termination with cause for librarians follow the procedures
for "Notice of Termination of Administrative and Professional Faculty Members" holding rank without
departmental designation as found in the policy on Administrative and Professional Faculty in the latest
edition of the Administrative and Professional Faculty Guidebook.
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